Executive Director

Job Title:  Executive Director

• American Classical Orchestra, New York City

• Position opening January, 2026

October 2025

Organization Description

The American Classical Orchestra (ACO) is a professional period instrument ensemble that strives to preserve and perform the repertoire of 17^th, 18^th, and 19^th century composers. The New York Times describes the Orchestra as “simply splendid” and a “mainstay of the New York scene.”

The musical instruments played during the 17^th-19^th century were made of different materials than modern instruments.  They therefore produce a distinctive sound.  Period instruments (as they are known) have a softer, more transparent tone, which lends delicacy to gentler phrases but delivers bite in stronger passages.  The ACO uses instruments that existed (or are copies thereof) when the music was first written.

These sounds help draw people into the true genius of Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, and other master composers of that time.

In 1999, the ACO inaugurated its acclaimed interactive education outreach program Classical Music for Kids (CMK).  Since its inception, CMK has brought classical music, played on period instruments, to more than 500,000 students.  In 2002, in honor of CMK, the ACO was chosen from a national pool of candidates to receive Early Music America’s Bringing History Alive award.  In 2006, for its Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Music:  Jefferson at Monticello program (performed at schools), it received the prestigious National Endowment for the Arts Award, Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth.

The ACO is a section 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, licensed to do business in the State of New York.  Its primary place of performance is Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, but it also performs concerts—including salon concerts—at other locations

Executive Director Job Description and Responsibilities

The ACO’s Executive Director is responsible for the business operations of the Orchestra. These include fundraising and development, obtaining and maintaining new or existing, corporate and government partnerships and sponsorships, negotiating agreements, signing contracts, and maintaining accounts.  The Executive Director reports directly to the ACO Board of Directors and also works closely with Thomas Crawford, the ACO’s Founder and Artistic Director, to achieve Mr. Crawford’s artistic and programming objectives.

Other ACO staff members and all independent contractors who work with the ACO—such as its public relations consultant, its bookkeepers and auditors—report to the Executive Director, who is responsible for supplying them with whatever instruction, information, or data they may require.  The Executive Director is also responsible for helping the President of the Board prepare for Board Meetings by preparing all meeting materials, providing income and fund-raising information to the Treasurer required for financial reports. The ED is  responsible for maintaining close relations with corporate and government sponsors, all Board members, donors, and members of the ACO Patron Society, and for seeing that office files relating to those individuals or entities, and all other business concerns, are maintained and in order.

Responsibilities of The Executive Director Include:

1. Increase Revenue Streams /Development/Fundraising

• Prepare and/or increase grants from governmental and private entities and foundations
• Obtain or increase contributions from donor-advised funds and individual donors
• Identify and obtain corporate sponsorships
• Increase ticket sales, from both subscription based and individual ticket buyers
• Develop and maintain close relationships with new and existing individual donors and ticket-buyers
• Maintain the database that records all ACO donations and ticket sales – currently Donor Perfect
• Create and implement marketing strategies that increase the ACO’s brand recognition
• Seek artistic business partners who can help increase the ACO’s visibility and bring it to new audiences

1. Business Operations

• Support and assist the ACO Manager of Education and Operations to see that the Manager’s objectives are achieved, including the performance of Classical Music for Kids at local schools and other venues and for expanding the number of such schools and venues. Attendance at Classical Music for Kids performances is required, as needed.
• Support and assist the ACO Manager of Education and Operations in all aspects of concert production. Attendance at all rehearsals and performances is required. Greet ticket holders for all concerts – either at check-in desk or at entrance.
• Attend and plan after-concert receptions
• Attend and assist in planning of Gala and fund-raising activities
• Work with the ACO’s Public Relations consultant to assure that accurate information about the ACO is being promoted
• Oversee the ACO’s website
• Work with ACO’s freelance writer to assure that weekly e-blasts to the ACO distribution list are informative, creative, and meet with Mr. Crawford’s approval
• Build the ACO distribution list so that more readers are reached
• Write (or coordinating who writes), proofread, and edit all ACO communications, including programs, e-blasts, newsletters, promotional materials, personal letters, and fund-raising appeals

The Executive Director Should Have:

• Ability to manage and motivate a staff of professionals
• Five years or more experience in fund-raising, with measurable results
• Experience in developing and implementing marketing strategies and brand awareness, with measurable results
• Familiarity with website design and the ability to give instructions to the ACO’s website designer that achieve branding, fund-raising, and ticket-selling objectives
• Familiarity with office database systems and filings.
• Leadership skills that enable the efficient operation of the ACO office and increase its productivity.
• A strong, welcoming persona capable of developing good relations with Board members, key donors, Patrons, Sponsors, and business contacts
• A clear, engaging writing style and good proofreading and editorial capabilities
• A genuine interest in seeing that the ACO achieves its consistent objective of remaining New York’s leading period instrument orchestra

Base salary:

$100,000 to $150,000 depending on experience.

Bonus: 

The position is eligible for an annual performance bonus based on certain milestones being achieved.  Details to be shared during interview process.

References required

Apply:

Send email cover letter and resume to:

Debra Toppeta, President, ACO Board of Directors, at this address: d.toppeta@aconyc.org